Theater Builds New Program

At a Glance

Who: The Linn Benton Theater Program working with teachers and community

What: Plans to create a better program

How: Surveys are being studied, input is given by community and professionals have been hired to help design a beneficial program

Where: Russell Tripp Performance Center and Linn Benton Community College

6500 Pacific Blvd. SW Albany, OR. 97321

Why: To help the theater program become more active in the community and on campus

Contacts: Ticket Office, 541-917-4531

Don’t be fooled by the silence surrounding the Russell Tripp Performance Center or the slim line up of theater classes. Behind backstage doors very excited people prepare for a brand new theater program.

Getting ready for a new program by hiring professional consultants, adding to the curriculum and surveying students will take 2-5 years. Bruce Peterson, theater manager, says building this program will end with a whole new influence on campus.

The plays being performed draw college students and community alike: especially the yearly play created just for kids. Because of its past success, this play is the new model for “what works” at the theater. Peterson is also partnering with classes, planning to create productions that will benefit academics.

Usually three plays are performed but only one play is being performed this year. “Cool Suit,” opens on Feb. 21. When asked about the present dry season for theater at LBCC, Peterson responded with hope for bouncing back again. Some students have little connection with the theatrical productions. This makes it harder for theater to be heard of on campus.

Kimberly Perry, a sophomore, says that she has never been to a production at the performance center and can’t recall the theater’s name. The college hopes theatrical silence on campus will soon be gone forever. Patrice Bledsoe-Wright, of the ticket office, is looking forward to being active on campus and working in new ways with community.

If there is one message Peterson wants to get across when all work is finished, it’s that “Theater is fun! It’s the same message it’s always been. No matter who you are or what you become it can affect you and be fun.” Soon it will be loud and clear.